Apparatus for generating acetylene gas



Patented Aug. 9, |898.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

A. A. STROM.

(Application filed June 14,-1897.)

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APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ACETYLENE GAS.

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 9, |898..

A. A. STROM. APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AGETYLENE GAS.

(Application filed June 14, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Mudel.)

Q @52m/77 @Mpg TH: Noams Pz'rzus co, Puma-urne.. WASHINGTON, D cv 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.A

.mw lii No. 608,804. Patented Aug. 9,1893.

` A. A. STRM.

APPARATUS FUR GENEBATING ACETYLENE GAS. (Application mea .nm 14, 1897.)

(No Model) ma Nonms Ps1-:Rs co. Puo'rauwo.. wAsmNmoN, n. cv

Ass

AXEL A. STROM, OF AUSTIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS TO TIIE W'ALMSLEY & COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.'

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ACETYLENE GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,804, datedV August 9, 1898. Application tiled .Tune 14, 1897. Serial No. 640,734. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, AXEL A. Srnoin, a citizen of the United States, residing at Austin, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in the class of apparatus for generating gas from calcium carbid and water (or from any other solid and liquid substances which generate gas by bringing them together) in which provision is made for automatically checking generation of the gas whenever a sufficient or predetermined supply hasbeen produced and for automatically resuming the generation whenever the supply becomes insufficient.

The primary general object of my improvement is to provide a construction of the gasgenerating apparatus whereby it shall be adapted to be placed in position for use, as in a household, upon merely coupling it as a gas-meter is coupled with the pipe system in the house, so that the installation may be performed with extreme facility and without the aid of skilled labor.

Another object of -my invention is to provide the generator proper as an extraneous part of the apparatus wholly independent for its support of any other part of the apparatus and adapted to be so readily connected with the gasometer and disconnected therefrom that charging it with carbid is rendered a matter of ease and emptying it of the sediment is rendered as convenient as emptying the ashes from a bucket.

Further objects are to improvethe valve mechanism for controlling automatically the supply'of water to the carbid-holder `by the action of the gasholder and also to improve the construction of the apparatus generallyin matters of detail and combinations of parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in sectional elevation, partly diagrammatic in its nature, taken at the line l on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow and showing the two diifcrcntially-weighted gas-holders which I prefer l to employ,with their means of intercommunication and the means for connecting them with, the extraneous,gasgenerating carbidholder; Fig. 2, a section taken at the line 2 on Fig. l and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3, a section taken'at theline 3 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4, a section taken at the line et on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 5, a plan view, partly broken, showing a modified construction of the generatorcover and its pipe connections; and Fig. G, an enlarged view,in sectional elevation, of the valve mechanism provided in the gas-holder for controlling the supply of water therefrom to the carbid-holder.

A is the carbid-holder or generator proper, the preferred construction of which is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. It comprises a can or box A', preferably of the circular shape illustrated, formed of sheet metal and having the conical top r, containing the opening r', about which is fastened the `collar r2, of heavier metal, containing the annular seat r3 for the lid A2, between which and its seat suitable packing r4 should be provided.. The lid A2 has a central opening p, surrounded by a collar p, and between the collar and the opening is a seat p2, having the offset p3, :respectively for the iiange q and extension q of a hollow head A3, suitable packing p4 being provided between the flange and its seat. The head A3 contains'the chambers o and o, the former being closed at its base, from which there depends over the center of the can A a nozzle n, pointed toward its lower end, in opposite sides of which are provided the minute water-outlet openings n' n'. A water-inlet pipe m leads into the chamber 0 of the head A3, and a gas-outlet pipe m leads from the chamber o', and the pipes m and m contain shut-off valves (indicated at s and s in Fig. 2) of ordinary or any suitable construction on a common stem s2, extending between the pipes and carrying an operating-handles Suitable means are provided for conveniently fastening removably and tighteningthe generatorfcover thus formed of the lid A2 and head A3, the means shown comprising uprightst carbid-chamber A4, which I prefer to divide by a central vertical perforated partition o, thereby to separate the charge of carbid into two parts the better to prevent it from packing. In the carbid-chamber is a condensation-receiver C, formed of an upwardly-converging collar, preferably of sheet metal and affording with the wall of the carbid-chamber an annular trough Z.

As the gas, heated by the process of its generation, rises from the carbidchamber by contact with the condenser C and walls of the generator the moisture it carries is condensed and is caught in falling on the inclined surface of the trough, down which it trickles to accumulate therein and be emptied in emptying the carbid-holder of sediment. Moreover, by gathering the water of condensation inthe trough l it is prevented from gaining access to the carbid-chamber and from exerting any influence on the carbid therein, thereby materially facilitating the operation of checking, when desired, the generation of gas by shutting off the supply of wat-er.

B is a gas-holder formed of the telescoping sections or tanks B and B2, the former being fixed and containing a body of water, the level of which is indicated at w in Fig. l, and the latter being inverted and seated with its open lower end in this body of water to rise and fall by variation of the volume of gas confined therein. I utilize the water contained in this holder for intermittingly supplying therefrom water to the generator, as hereinafter described. For the purpose of guiding the holder-section B2in its movements y I may provide. an upright pipe or rod 7c, eX` tending from the center of the base of the fixed section B and telescoping therewith, a tube t depending from the center of the headv of the movable section B2, beyond which the tube is closed by a cap A weight 7L may be imposed on the top of the gas-holder B, fori a purpose hereinafter described, and the top"l of the movable tank-section should be rein-i forced from the tube t' by a brace g, shown asl' a hollow conical body.

A gas-pipe m3 leads downward in the holder i, B Afrom above the water-line therein and out through one side and is coupled with the pipe m', leading to the generator, to permit the pipe m' to be turned by swinging it throughi a Vertical plane, all in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter described.

A water-pipe m2 leads downward in the holder B from a point below the water-level therein sufficiently deep to clear the surface scum and dirt that accumulates in the upper part of the body of water, and this pipe passes out of the holder through its wall and is coupled with the pipe m in the manner of coupling the pipes m and m3.

From the portion of the pipe m2 which projects outside the holder B, I extend a pipe m5 upward beyond the water-line in the holder, where it contains a return-bend and extends downward part way throughout the length of its upward-extending section. The pipe m5 thus affords a species of trap, for a purpose hereinafter described.

Outside the holder B the pipe m2is extended upward to the level of the pipe m, with which it is coupled by a species of swiveln joint, (shown at 0,) and the pipe m' is similarly coupled with the lower end of the pipe m5, as shown at c.

In the upper end portion of the pipe m2 is seated a valve f, Fig. 6, to control the inlet of water, as through the lateral inlet shown at f4, the valve being carried by a stem f', with which engages one end of a lever f2, fulcru med at @j and carrying at its opposite end a iioat-ball f3, and the downward play of the lever f2 (at the end of which, owing to the illustrated manner of its connection with the valve-steamy, it opens the valve f) is limited by a stop f5, shown as rising into the path of the lever from the base of the holder B.

A collar e is adj ustably supported on the guide-tube i below the plane of the valveleverf2 to afford a lifter for a weight c', loosely surrounding the tube above the lever.

The apparatus as thus far described may be complete in itself to operate as follows: With a supply of calcium carbid in the holder A and the parts of the gas-holder Bin the relative positions in which they are illustrated by the full-line representation in Fig. I, the valve fis open to admit water through the pipes m2 and m into the carbid-holder, the water flowing in fine streams through the openings 'It' upon the carbid at opposite sides of the partition o. The resulting gas passes off through the pipes m', m5, and m3 into the holder B, gradually filling the latter and raising the section B2, as shown by the dotted lines, and with it the tube 'L' and collar e, which after the section B2 has risen to a predetermined height engages with the weight e (by passing through the expanded open section f22 of the valve-lever f2) and by the continued rise of the gas-holder section induced by the influx of gas into it lifts it from bearing against the valve-lever, the float f3 on which causes it to rise until its inner end depresses the valve f to shut off the water-2 IOO lever and the weight e rests upon it and depresses it to the lowest point of its movement, at which it again opens the valve f to supply water to the generator and cause resumption of the gas-generation.

For the more general use of the apparatus, however, a single gas-holder B for storing a snllicient supply oi' the gas would have to be so large as to render placing the apparatus inconvenient, if not impossible. Accordingly, to enable the holder B to be made of convenient size I supplement it with a second gas-holder D. This holder, containing water, the level of which is indicated at w',

involves the sections D and D2, like the sections B and B2 of the holder B, and having the movable section similarly guided by a pipe or rod 7.a and tube f', telescoping therewith, equipped with a cap the top of the movable section being reinforced by a brace g and carrying a weight h', which, however, is heavier than the weight 7L. On one side of the section D, eccentrically thereof, is pro- `vided a condensing-chamber E, which might be provided on the holder B were the latter used alone. rlhe chamber E is formed on and integral with the fixed section D, the Wall of which is the inner Wall of ,the condensing-` Into the lower end of the cham-` chamber. ber E the pipe m3 is extended, and .the supply of gas to the consumer is taken from its upper end through a pipe d, and from the lower end of this condenser-chamber a gaspipe m4k leads upward in the holderD beyond the water-line therein. Then thegas generated in the manner described iirst fills the holder l5, owing to the imposition thereon of the lesser Weight h, and it also fills the condenser-chamber E, and all surplus of the generated gas will enterthe holder D through the pipe m4, through whichit also renters the condenser-chamber in being taken off for consumption. Surplus gas will always be generated by the apparatus after shutting off the water-supply through the pipe m? to the gen-.

erator, owing to the impossibility of thereby immediately checking the generation, by reason of the moist condition of the carbid, from which gas will continue to be evolved till the water with which it is more or less saturated becomes exhausted. Itis mainly to store and save this surplus that the secondary holder D is provided.

The generator A may be easily and quickly disconnected from the apparatus by loosening the fastening means, after turning the handle s3 to shut the valves s' and s2, and swinging the pipes m m upward, thereby also raising the head A3 and freeing the lid A2 for removal. Then the can A' may be carried away, like an ash-hod, by handles h, provided for the purpose, and dumped of its sediment contents and the Water of condensation accumulated in the troughl preparatory to recharging the chamber A4 with a supply of calcium carbid, after which the ycover may `be as conveniently readj usted after replacing the can by imposing the lid A2 in its place, swinging down upon it the head A3, and applying the fastening means, when uponreopening the valves s and s2 the apparatus is again in condition to resume the generation of gas.

The head A3 is a very desirable but not an indispensable feature of myimprovernent. It may be dispensed with by omitting the central opening` from the lidA2 and leading the pipes m and m into the generator immediately through the lid,` as represented in Fig. 5, when the lid alone forms the generator-cover. i p The purpose of the extension m5 of the pipe m3 will be understood from the following explanation: When the supply of carbid in the generator and that of gas in the holder B become exhausted, so that the movable section B2 falls sufficiently far to open the valve f, Water will enter the generator by the pipes m2 and m and fill it and rise in the pipe m5 to the water-level in the gas-holder, so that when the generator is emptied, recharged with carbid, and replaced and the valves s s2 after having been closed are again opened the amount of waterstanding in the pipe m5 may fiow into the generator and is not in excessive amount for attacking the calcium carbid. lf, however, the rising pipe m5 were not provided, under the conditions of exhaustion named the generator would not only be filled with water, but the condensingchamber E would also be illed therewith through the gas-pipes m and m3, and the amount therein fiowing back into the generator would be greatly excessive. Oi' 'course this riser may be employed whether one or more gas-holders be contained in the system.

What l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a gas-generating apparatus, the coinbination with a gas-holder, of a carbid-holder or generator proper provided with a detachable cover, a gas and water pipe connection between said gas-holder and generator having fixed connection with and leading through the cover, and a fiexible jointin said connection affording a hinge for the cover whereby the latter may be detached from the generator and supported by the pipe connection, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination with a gas-holder of a carbid-holder or generator proper, and gas and water pipes containing shut-01T valves on a common stem provided with a handle, said pipes leading respectively to and from said gas-holder and through the cover ot the generator and having flexibly-jointed sections adapt-ing them to be swung to remove and replace the cover, substantiallyas described.

3. In a gas-generating apparatus, the conibination with a gas-holder of a carbid-holder or generator lproper having a cover compris- ITO ing an annular lid and a hollow chambered head seating therein, fastening means for the cover, and gas and water pipes leading respectively to and from said gas-holder into the chambers in said head and having flexibly-jointed sections adapting them to be swung to lift and lower said head, and a nozzle extending from a chamber in said head to enter said carbid-holder, substantially as described.

4. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination with a gas-holder, of a carbid-holder or generator proper, a gas-pipe leading from said holder and connected with the generator, a water-trap extension connected With the gas-pipe and extending above the water-I level in the said holder, and a water-supply pipe for the generator connected with said extension, substantially as described.

5. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination witha gas-holder of a carbid-holder or generator proper, and gas and water pipes leading respectively to and from said gasholder and through the cover of the generator and havin g liexibly-j ointed sections adapting them to be swung to remove and replace the cover and a rising extension of the water-pipe without the gas holder reaching above the water-level therein and having a return-bend with which the flexible junction of the water-pipe section is made, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination with a gas-holder of a portable carbid-holder or generator proper supported extraneously of said gas-holder and provided with a cover comprising an annular lid and a hollow head seating therein and containing water and gas chambers, a nozzle extending from the water-chamber in said head to enter the carbid-holder, gas and water pipes connecting said gas-holder respectively with said gas and water chambers and having iiexiblyjointed sections adapting them to be swung to lift and lower said head, and shut-olf valves in said pipes, substantially as described.

7.. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination of a carbid-holder or generator proper and a water-containing gas-holder formed of the stationary and movable telescoping sections, and having a pipe connection with said generator for supplying water thereto, a valve in said pipe connection, an operating-lever therefor carrying a float, a weight loosely supported on said lever and a stop carried by the movable section and adapted in the movement of the latter to coperate with the weight and thereby permit of the controlling of the valve by the lever, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination of a carbid-holder or generator proper and a water-containing gas-holder intercommunicating through a gas-pipe, a water-pipe connecting said generator with said gas-holder and containing a valve controlling the supply of water to the generator for promoting the generation of gas therein, a lever connected with said valve and carrying a iioat, a telescoping guide extending between the fixed and movable sections of said gas-holder, a weight on said guide above said lever and a lifter on the movable portion of said guide below the weight, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination of a carbid-holder or generator proper and a water-containing gas-holder intercommunicating through a gas-pipe, a water-pipe connecting said generator with said gas-holder and containing a valve controlling the supply of Water to the generator for promoting the generation of gas therein, a lever connected with said valve and carrying a float, a telescoping guide extending between the fixed and movable sections of said gas-holder, a weight on said guide above said lever, a lifter on the movable portion of said guide below the weight, and a stop below the lever for limiting its downward throw, substantially as and for t-he purpose set forth.

l0. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination with a carbidholder or generator proper, of two gas-holders each comprising a fixed section and a movable section, the movable sections being differentially weighted, said holders having gas communication with each other and with said generator and the lesser-weighted gas-holder having a waterpipe connection with said generator controlled by a valve actuated by the rise and fall of the movable gas-holder section to regulate the supply of water to the generator for promoting the generation of gas therein, and an outlet in the heavier-weighted holder for leading therefrom the gas to the point of consumption, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l1. In a gas-generating apparatus, the combination with a carbid-holder or generator proper, of two gas-holders each comprising a fixed section and a movable section, the movable sections being differentially weighted, a condenser on the holder having the heavierweighted section provided with an outlet-pipe CZ and communicating through a pipe m4 with the interior of said holder, a gas-pipe connection between the gas-holder having the lesserweighted section, the said condenser and said generator and a water-pipe connecting said last-named gas-holder with the generator and containing a valve actuated by the rise and fall of the movable section of said gas-holder to regulate the supply of water to the generator for promoting the generation of gas therein, substantially as described.

l2. A gas-generatin g apparatus comprising, in combination, a generator A, a gas-holder D provided with a condenser E having an outlet d and a pipe connection m4 with the interior of the holder, a weight h on the movable IOO IIO

section of said holder, t gas-holder B carryinto said generator through its cover, the ing a Weight 7L on its movable section of lesser Whole being constructed and arranged to op- Io gravity than that on the holder D, a gasepipe crate substantially as described. m3 connecting the holder B with the condenser 5 E, zt Valve-controlled Water-pipe m2 leading AXEL A' STROM' from said llolderB, and Valve-controlled pipe- In presence ofsections m and m `flexibly jointed, respec- M. J. FROST, tively, to the pipes m2 and m3 and leading R. T. SPENCER. 

